A Matter of Coaching or Conscience?
 

As an umpire, if you see an INFIELDER with their back to the plate for whatever reason when the pitcher is beginning the delivery, what would you do?

I'm killing it. First and foremost I'm there for the safety of the players.

I think you gotta kill it.

Youth ball ... definitely kill it. College? Probably not. Let the DC take care of it.

Coed rec slow-pitch, I'll kill the ball. Same for men's very rec ball. Higher level men's ball, I'll let the teammates deal with the idiot, who probably just ended his career with that team.

I said "Kill it", but it's very much dependant on the level of play. High school age group & below - definitely kill it. Beyond that, let it go.

Okay, let's try again.

The question is what would YOU (the umpire) do about it. Not the DC, teammates or any "idiots".

This is basically for the BU since the PU always (or should always) have control over the pitcher. You are in position, an infielder is offering direction or whatever that causes him/her to turn away from the plate and the pitcher proceeds to begin the delivery.

I've had it happen in slow pitch. I gave the F3 a verbal heads up.

I don't think it's ever happened in a FP game I was working...but I would kill it.

Kill the ball, no pitch. There is no rule to back that up, but it is a safety issue.

Kill it, unless it's the same player that ran the bases the wrong way; then take the player's cleats away.

As a matter of rule, the umpire is authorized to stop play any time he judges conditions justify it; ASA 10.4-A. And the prohibition to stop play after the pitcher starts delivery only applies if the offense requests it. So the rules do support your authority to make that judgment.

I think we are all more or less knowing that killing it takes away a possible advantage that the offense has, one given them by the (stupid) defense. At a championship level (and certainly including high level NCAA play), I think we have to let it play out. While safety is a concern, we aren't supposed to affect the competitive edge legally gained. Our function is to keep it legal, keep it fair; the NCAA rule book lists umpire duties a thru o; only letter o even suggests our concern for player safety, and even limits that to allowing additional warmup time after an injury or inclement weather conditions. The Umpire Code of Conduct doesn't mention safety at all, instead reiterating fair and unbiased as the basis for all decisions.

I can only suggest that, if you decide to kill that play at that level, you state something about YOU not being ready, or that sweat dripped in your eyes. If you willingly state you stopped play in NCAA to protect the clueless team when the other team had an advantage, you will wear that offended coach like a new set of underwear, until you likely have to warn or eject.

At rec levels, it is more accepted to consider player safety. And, I would, too. At the same time, it isn't stated in the ASA rules, Rule Supplements, Umpire Code of Ethics, nor Umpire Manual that game decisions should or could be based on safety considerations (at least, not that I can find!!). I could be wrong, but show me any rule or direction in those documents that tell us to consider anything beyond "fair and unbiased" in making judgments.

Its interesting that many of you state that you would kill the play in the interest of safety, but seem to be more likey to kill at lowere levels (where chance of injury is less) than at higher levels (where chance of injury is greater)

Just an observation.

YSF 38.6 has simple ruling: off with the infidel's left hand. That'll teach 'em!

A good observation at that. I would kill it no matter which level (despite my earlier remarks), but anyone who is stupid enough to do it at a higher level shouldn't be playing at that level. That was the point I was trying to make.

Kind of sounds like coaching, what's next telling the batters to back off the plate becaus this pither throws inside a lot? But it also sounds like situational awareness, the fielder may only be looking for the position of the out fielders. I really think we would be overstepping to kill the play based upon the fielders not paying attention. Now if the fielder was engaged in some kind of activity, such as tying their shoes, that would be different. No I say you just got to let it play out. that's what I would do -- that's what I have done.

I wouldn't kill the play. At what point do you decide NOT to kill the play? Do you do it for infielders only? Outfielders? Runners? Coaches? Okay, screw the coaches...

If the fielder is walking back to their position and the pitcher is starting their delivery, I see nothing wrong with telling the fielder, "heads up," and pointing towards the plate. I do it all the time in SP, and the fielders thank me for it.

Is it coaching? Maybe. If the OC has a problem with it, they can get a life, because I left my CPR mask in the car.

My convictions, and I truly believe all rule books would support killing this play. (Even if you find one that does not, in this matter, I do not care.)
It is a matter of safety. I have seen what damage a batted ball can do to a player that is ready let alone one who has no idea what may be coming.
I would take it one step further and be willing to tell you if a coach came out to give me grief or complain over it, I would not "play" with him any longer. I would do the same for his players.
This is a game for Pete's sake and absolutely no argument given to me can make it potentially a situation of life and death if I have any input into it.

I totally disagree with the idea of killing the play because the infielder is not paying attention. That is clearly not our job. What about slow players, or players playing a position for which they do not have the required skills? Are we next going to evaluate players for a minimum performance standard for positions? How many times has an umpire been chastised on this forum for making up a rule? This is one of those times, there is nothing in any of the rules I have read in any sport that grants or requires the official to kill live play because of inattention of one of the players.

The poll should have had one more choice – Game on.

Bugg

The question posed says nothing about being slow, out of position, or unskilled. It is very specific. The infielder has their back to the plate and the pitch is beginning. The infielder has no chance at self-protection, regardless of skill level, on a line shot directly at him.